My life with Autism

CNN PRODUCER NOTEDocNinja, of Washington, says, 'I'm proud of the fact that I have not abandoned any of my dreams or anything along those lines to get where I am today.' Although he doesn't have a favorite thing about it, he wants the world to know 'that people with autism are just as normal as the rest of the world.' The 24-year-old currently works for Lowes Home and Garden. 'I believe that more attention needs to be given to autism and not have it be seen by such as a stigma and a disease,' he says. - ssesha, CNN iReport producer

Greetings ya'll. My name is John. I'm 24 years old and I have Autism/Aspergers Syndrome. I was diagnosed when I was in 4th grade. I'm a recent college grad, currently working on paying off my college loans, before I go back to get my Masters for teaching. I'm just like the rest of ya'll, minus the fact that I have Asperger's. I currently work as at Lowes Home and Garden as a loader. I run, swim, write, read, play video games, and have a passion for cooking, and good food. I volunteer my time at pet shelters and my local church. My favorite foods....oye......Chocolate, steak, and peanut butter.

Okay now, on to the seriousness. Life with Austism/Asperger's is just as normal as it can be. I don't think of myself as a diseased or handicapped person. In fact I see this as a blessing, cause I have a unique world view, and it's cause of that view that people come to me for guidance and help because I'll give them the answers they need. It's part of why I'm working on getting my MDiv (Masters of Divinity). I've worked hard to get where I am, it's been a struggle, but because of that it's made me a stronger person, and people look up to and respect me because of that.

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